Activated iodine therapeutic agent



v) Patented Aug. 5, 1947 ACTIVATED IODINE THERAPEUTIC AGENT Albert Strickler, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor to The Hersch-Razel Research Foundation, Phila-' delphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania No Drawing. 7 Application January 11, 1945,

Serial No. 572,423

4 Claims. (01. 167-58) This invention relates to therapeutic agents and more particularly to a therapeutic agent containing iodine. The'invention further relates to therapeutic agents adapted for the treatment of fungus infections of the scalp and of the skin,

7 and particularly to time. tonsurans, ringworm of the groin and ringworm of the feet or athletes foot.

Various treatments have heretofore been proposed for fungus infections of the skin and of the scalp but none of these have proven satisfactory. Difficulties have arisen particularly because in certain types of treatment the hair cells are de-. stroyed, resulting in permanentbaldness of the scalp areas subjected to treatment, or in other instances the results obtained have not justified continuance of the treatment. In other instances the irritating nature of the treatment or of the agents employed has resulted in severe discomforts and dissatisfaction.

It has heretofore been recognized that iodine has, for the ringworm fungi, fungistatic and fungicidal properties, but no wholly satisfactory provisions have heretofore been made for utilizing theiodine in an eflective'manner withoutirritation or injury of the skin and body tissues upon application.

In accordance with the present invention, the fungicidal properties of iodine are utilized but with an enhanced or intensified action not heretofore obtained and without irritation of the skin and body tissues.

In order to utilize the properties of the iodine in a more effective manner the iodine is combined with a catalyst, in a suitable environment, and in a suitable vehicle for local application.

In order to intensify and augment the action of the iodine as a fungicidal agent chlorophyll is employed as a catalyst and photosensitizer as it possesses the required characteristics of accelerating the chemical reaction, While itself remaining unaltered, and becaues of its function as a photosensitizer in promoting oxidation by oxygen present in the therapeutic agent.

The photodynamic action desired requires a source of oxygen, and also that iron be present. While any suitable sources of oxygen and iron may be employed, capable of providing the oxygen required for the occurrence of the photodynamic process, it has been found that red blood cells, of human or animal blood, are satisfactory because of their oxygen carrying capacities and also because the iron containing compound heme, which goes to make up the hemoglobin of the red blood cells, supplies the iron which is also 2 essential to the progress of the photodynamic process. Y

An additional source of oxygen is preferably employed and for this purpose magnesium peroxide has been found satisfactory.

' .Photodynamic processes also require a source of,energy and for this purpose a quartz-mercury arc; with most of its energy in the 2600 to 2900 A level, is employed as hereinafter pointed out.

The therapeutic agent in accordance with the present invention is preferably prepared by combining the ingredients in the manner hereinafter pointed out, it beingunderstood that the proportions may be varied and substitutions made without departing from the spirit of the invention. a a

As an illustration of a specific example of the preparation of a therapeutic agent in accordance with the present invention, a measured quantity of iodine crystals and a measured quantity of a source of oxygen, such as magnesium peroxide, are mixed in one vessel in dry form. In another vessel. measured quantities of red blood cells in normal salt solution, a. catalytic agent in liquid form such as chlorophyll, and a wetting agent, such as dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid which is distributed under the trade name Deceresol, are mixed and combined. The quantities employed are preferably as follows:

Wetting agent, dioctyl ester of sodium sulfosuccinic acid 1.0

The materials in the two vessels are brought together and intimately mixed and the mixture is kept, under an ultra-violet light, such as from the energy source referred to above, until dry, this drying ordinarily requires from three to five days. This iodine containing residue thus obtained is reddish-black and contains about 15% by weight of iodine and about 0.8% by weight of inorganic material. The iodine containing material is then ground up and is incorporated in a suitable vehicle or dispersing material, cottonseed oil having been found satisfactory for this purpose. The iodine containing material and' cottonseed oil are preferably in the proportions of one half drachm to one ounce, respectively.

While it is not entirely certain as to the action which takes place, it appears likely that the iodine molecule is capable, in the presence of the photosensitizing agent, of having energy of activation transferred thereto from the photosensitizer molecules of chlorophyll. In this manner the iodine molecule in the presence of the chlor'o phyll and with iron and oxygen present becomes an activated molecule and thereby capable of more intensive action and efiect. There may also :be a promotion of oxidation by the l'iloi'iF phyll in its role as a photosensitizer as well ,as some generation of ozone by the ultra violt light. M q 7 In the treatment of tinea tonsurans the hair of the scalp is clipped and is kept sliort-. sue"- cessive topical applications are employed etasisting of acetic acid, 3% solution, and the iodine combination.

First, the acetic acid is rubbed into the scalp using a small brush, such as a tooth brush, ior' about two minutes, with special attention to the infected areas. Acetic acid of such strength redu'ces the activity orthe ringworm fungus and has proven eific'i eiit and nan-irri ating. The at: plication of the acetic acidis' folhwed by brin me an electric light bulb of: 150to 200 watt size sufficiently close to the scalp to impart a distinct sensation 5f heat. p N W p U The io hamm r-m1 is then rubbed into the s ell? ,by an tr with a small brush, such as a toothbrush, for aboiit two minutes, followed y applijcation of the electric bulb as before, ioi abouts'ix minutes, The use of 'the electr c pint possibly induces some vaporir'atioii of the iodine. A The therapeutic, agents employed have been found effective in trea meat'orrm wo'rm of the tor madam; type, and also 12 QJ'P'Seiiin variety.

UK U ed for deterin'ha tion of a cure consisted of d rect examinations prthe suspected hair aha observation or t scalp hair with filtejre d, i'zltra violetlig'ht Three consecutive ne ative observations by both methods made at four to) fiveday intervals, were considered essential the persons treated icdi lld he regarded as cure The iodine containing material is also suitable for use in the treatment of fungi infections, other than those of the scalp, which do not require as detailed preliminary preparations.

I claim:

1. A therapeutic agent for topical application comprising io'dine activated by ultra-violet light in the presence of chlorophyll, heme as a source of iron, and a material continuously evolving oxygen.

"2. A therapeutic agent for topical application comprisingiodine activated by ultra-violet light the presene of chlorophyll, hemoglobin, and a material continuously evolving oxygen.

3. A therapeutic agent for topical application cfifipris'iiig iodine activated by ultra-violet light in the presence of chlorophyll, red blood cells, and magnesium peroxide.

4. A therapeutic agent, for topical application comprising iodine activated by ultra-violet light in the presence of chlorophylLheine as 'a. 's'fi'u'i'ce of iron, and a "material continuously volvihl'; oxygen, the activated iodine Being aistntatea in an oily vehicle. r

. ALBERT STRIGKIER.

Ci'iiiri The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Merck Manual, "zen ed. (1956) pa e 772.

-'ormscyni seages or the Skin (1934'), 4th ad, age 995. na l-58R) Elli's af1d we la-cnmi cai A tion 61 Ultravitjlt ays '(194l), paes 231, 264, 27?, 451,498, 522, 678, 860 aria 862. 

